UC Research Repository Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6872015-03-03T21:50:17Z2015-03-03T21:50:17ZSuicide Reporting in the Coronial JurisdictionPowell, Rhondahttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/101172015-02-12T11:30:13Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Suicide Reporting in the Coronial Jurisdiction
Authors: Powell, Rhonda
Abstract: Suicide is the leading ‘external’ (non-natural) cause of death in Australia.
Australian coronial courts play a critical role in reporting suicide deaths. Coronial
findings contribute to the data used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to compile
mortality statistics, which underpin suicide prevention strategies and their evaluation.
The public interest requires that coroners report suicide when it occurs so as to allow
accurate statistics about the incidence of suicide to be collated, to promote efficient
suicide prevention strategies and enable suicide prevention objectives to be achieved.
It is widely recognised that suicide is underreported.
The Coronial Council of Victoria (Council), whose membership includes medical and
legal professionals as well as community and police representatives, has investigated
problems with suicide reporting in the Victorian coronial jurisdiction. The Council
aims to promote change within the Victorian coronial jurisdiction with a view to
parallel changes being implemented throughout Australia.
The key problem identified by the Council is that inconsistencies in coronial
practices hinder the accurate collection of suicide data. Too often, when the deceased
took an action that caused their death, the circumstances of death are described
generally but an explicit finding is not made about whether or not the deceased
intended to end their life.
The Council has formed the view that there is a need for a legislative requirement that
coroners make a clear finding about the intention of people whose actions cause their
own death, where the evidence permits. There are a number of circumstances that
may apply to such deaths, including accident and suicide.
In some cases, the deceased may not have had the capacity to understand the effects
of their actions or there may be insufficient evidence for the coroner to come to a
conclusion about the deceased’s intent. In these cases, it would be useful for suicide
prevention activities for the coroner to identify whether death was a reasonably
foreseeable consequence of the deceased’s action.
The primary recommendations of the Council are that the Attorney-General:
1. propose amendment to the Coroners Act 2008 (Vic) to require that coroners make
a finding of intention, as supported by the evidence, in relation to all investigated
deaths found to be caused by an action of the deceased; and
2. raise the issue of standardisation of coronial legislation and/or coronial systems in
Australia in the Standing Council on Law, Crime and Community Safety and
propose that changes be implemented in parallel in all Australian jurisdictions.
The Council’s recommendations are set out in further detail at the end of the report.2014-01-01T00:00:00ZSubmission to the Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and SponsorshipCrampton, E.http://hdl.handle.net/10092/98372014-11-12T11:30:12Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Submission to the Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship
Authors: Crampton, E.2014-01-01T00:00:00ZResilience framework and guidelines for practiceBritt, E.Carter, J.Conradson, D.Scott, A.Vargo, J.Moss, H.http://hdl.handle.net/10092/98212014-11-10T11:30:10Z2012-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Resilience framework and guidelines for practice
Authors: Britt, E.; Carter, J.; Conradson, D.; Scott, A.; Vargo, J.; Moss, H.
Abstract: The Canterbury earthquakes are unique in that the there have been a series of major earthquakes, each with their own subsequent aftershock pattern. These have extended from the first large earthquake in September 2010 to currently, at the time of writing, two years later. The last significant earthquake of over magnitude 5.0 on the Richter scale was in May on 2012, and the total number of aftershocks has exceeded 12,000. The consequences, in addition to the loss of life, significant injury and widespread damage, have been far reaching and long term, with detrimental effects and still uncertain effects for many. This provides unique challenges for individuals, communities, organisations and institutions within Canterbury.
This document reviews research-based understandings of the concept of resilience. A conceptual model is developed which identifies a number of the factors that influence individual and household resilience. Guided by the model, a series of recommendations are developed for practices that will support individual and household resilience in Canterbury in the aftermath of the 2010-2011 earthquakes.2012-01-01T00:00:00ZAsia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) project on the Canterbury Earthquake Series and SME Resilience: Report 7: Improving the resilience of SMEs: policy and practice in New ZealandHatton, T.Seville, E.Vargo, J.http://hdl.handle.net/10092/94902014-08-12T12:30:13Z2012-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) project on the Canterbury Earthquake Series and SME Resilience: Report 7: Improving the resilience of SMEs: policy and practice in New Zealand
Authors: Hatton, T.; Seville, E.; Vargo, J.
Abstract: There are many things that organisations of any size can do to prepare for a disaster or
crisis. Traditionally, the advice given to business has focused on identifying risks, reducing
their likely occurrence, and planning in advance how to respond. More recently, there is
growing interest in the broader concept of organisational resilience which includes planning
for crisis but also considers traits that lead to organisational adaptability and ability to thrive
despite adverse circumstances.
In this paper we examine the policy frameworks1 within New Zealand that influence the
resilience of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). The first part of the paper
focuses on the New Zealand context, including the prevailing political and economic
ideologies, the general nature of New Zealand SMEs and the nature of New Zealand’s
hazard environment. The paper then goes on to outline the key policy frameworks in place
relevant to SMEs and hazards. The final part of the paper examines the way the preexisting
policy environment influenced the response of SMEs and Government following the
Canterbury earthquakes.2012-01-01T00:00:00Z